HomeNewsPolice & CourtsTraffic Stop Leads to Firearm Arrest on St. Croix

Traffic Stop Leads to Firearm Arrest on St. Croix

A routine traffic stop in the Grove and Mutual Homes Community led to the discovery of an unlicensed firearm and a large quantity of marijuana, resulting in the arrest of 22-year-old Shakeem Gilbert, the V.I. Police Department announced.

On Tuesday, officers from the Special Operations Bureau Tactical and K9 Team stopped a gray Acura after the driver failed to halt at a stop sign. When officers approached, they instructed the driver to lower the vehicle’s heavily tinted windows. As the windows came down, officers detected a strong odor of what appeared to be marijuana. In plain view, they also spotted several burned marijuana cigarettes and drug paraphernalia, according to the police report.

Both the driver and passenger were ordered out of the vehicle. After informing the driver that a search would be conducted, officers recovered a PT 145 PRO .45 caliber handgun with a loaded magazine and one live chambered round. Additionally, a significant amount of marijuana was found inside the vehicle, the police report stated.

Gilbert admitted to possessing the firearm but did not have a license to carry it. He was arrested and charged with carrying of a firearm openly or concealed and possession or sale of ammunition. His bail was set at $50,000, the report stated.

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